16^th February

“May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation – the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ – for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”

Philippians 1:11

Before you read this devotion and feel burdened by the weight of having to be a ‘good Christian’, re-read the verse again and pay special attention to the words ‘produced in your life by Jesus Christ’. Notice that our characters, are transformed by Jesus Himself. It is not our special or good behaviour. It is not segregating yourself from society and away from worldly temptations in order to pursue inner purity. NO. It is Jesus Christ, alive in us, who transforms us into His likeness. The more we spend time with Him, however, the more our characters take on His. The more we ask the Holy Spirit to fill us up, the more we are filled with His glory and produce the kind of fruit that glorifies God.

Paul’s words tell us that the fruit of our salvation, is having a righteous character. This is completely the work of Christ. We are not made right by what we do, but by what He has done. Moreover, the work of Christ in you, brings God glory. Isn’t that incredible. It is the work of Christ in you that transforms you and in-turn brings glory to God. There is nothing of me or I in this. It is the work of God. Our responsibility is to spend more time with Jesus and ask Him to fill us a new daily and allow Him to transform us from the inside out. That is how we are to ‘always be filled with the fruit of our salvation’!